http://www.news-star.com
Posted Jun. 10, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 10, 2008 at 9:21 AM

SHAWNEE, Okla.

Billy J. “Bill” Walck passed away Monday, June 9, 2008, at the age of 81. For the past few years he suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and was a resident at the Veterans Center in Norman.

He was born March 19, 1927, on the family farm in rural McClain County near Lindsay to Floyd Walck and Edith (Baker) Walck.

In the spring of 1945, at age 18, he dropped out of Wayne High School and joined the Navy. Following basic training he was shipped to Hawaii, arriving at Pearl Harbor the day World War II ended. After his release from active duty in August 1946, he returned to the Wayne/Payne area, and soon began going out with Kathryn Lavern Hollis. They were married May 29, 1948, in Purcell.

He served in the Navy Reserves until 1950 when he was honorably discharged from the service. He completed his GED and used the GI Bill benefits to pursue a college degree. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics from East Central University while working for Trader Mills Feed Company as a feed salesman/delivery man.

In late 1956 he began working for Shawnee Production Credit Association as a loan officer and moved his family to Tecumseh in 1957. He became manager of Shawnee Production Credit Association in 1961 and retired as the manager in January 1986, after 29 years of service. Following his retirement he was able to spend most of his time at his passion, which were his farms near Stratford and Byars, Okla. He loved the farming and ranching “way of life” and was a successful farmer/rancher in the cattle business. He never lived on his farms but stayed there quite often in the small cottage home located at his “Stratford Farm”.

His permanent residence remained in Tecumseh. In 1975 he was asked by then Governor David Boren to serve on the State of Oklahoma Board of Agriculture, and did so. He also served on the Tecumseh School Board in the 1960's. He was a great father, husband, brother and friend. Mr. Walck was a part of America's “Greatest Generation” and his lifestyle and attitudes were formed by the “Dust Bowl” and “Great Depression” eras, leaving him with a great sense of how to “spend” or more likely “not to spend” hard earned money. He received great pleasure assisting farmers with the financial support they needed to be successful.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Juanita Carter and Oleta Randall.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathryn Lavern Walck of Tecumseh; four sons and daughters-in-Law, Brian and Barbara Walck of Tecumseh, Bruce and Shirley Walck of Tecumseh, Bradley and Kay Walck of Shawnee, and Brent and Sandra Walck of Byars; grandchildren, Keri Wiggins, Stacy Kelly, Meredith Walck, Randee Walck, Kamy Walck, Braden Walck, Taylor Walck, Natalie Walck, Darrah Birth, Ryan Walck, Savannah Walck, Sydnee Walck, Brock Walck and Allie Walck; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Max Walck and Vance Walck; one sister, Wanda Gray; and numerous other relatives and friends.